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Archives for March 2008

Odds and Ends: Loretta, German, Belliard, Baldelli

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  • An update to the Ken Rosenthal article discussed earlier suggests that either Esteban German or Ron Belliard would be better, cheaper alternatives for the Dodgers than Joe Crede or Brandon Inge. It would take less to get Belliard or German, they’re paid less, and either of them could back up Jeff Kent, 40, at second base in addition to playing third. Both players are "attracting the Dodgers’ interest" according to Rosenthal.
  • The Baltimore Sun is now reporting that the Orioles have an interest in Mark Loretta. Hopefully this is a sign that the Brian Roberts-to-Chicago saga will soon mercifully come to a conclusion. Loretta apparently isn’t slated for regular duty in a Houston infield that now features Miguel Tejada, Kaz Matsui and Ty Wigginton, which is why he might be in play. The Astros sent a scout to watch the O’s on Sunday.
  • Rocco Baldelli spoke with Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal about his myriad health problems, and dispelled some of the more creative speculation about him. He didn’t, however, address the big decision on his future that the Rays will be forced to make in the coming weeks. As discussed here a couple of days ago, and again in Sunday’s St. Petersburg Times, the decision on whether the team will pick up Baldelli’s 2009 option has to be made by April 1st. The Times suggests the Rays will pass, meaning a $4MM buyout.

Posted by Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans.

Sox Not Interested in Marquis or Fuld for Crisp

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Coco Crisp may be on the Cubs’ wish list, but neither Jason Marquis nor Sam Fuld will be enough to get a deal done with the Red Sox. Diffusing the rumblings from earlier today, Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe is reporting tonight that the Sox aren’t particularly interested in either player.

"If the Cubs were to talk trade with the Red Sox," he says, "it would have to be for a different set of names – either prospects or bullpen help."

Posted by Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans

Rangers Sign Sidney Ponson

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The Rangers have signed Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal, and he will arrive in camp on Monday, according to Richard Durrett of The Dallas Morning News.  GM Jon Daniels says Ponson is in good shape.  If he’s indeed touching 94 mph and has turned over a new leaf, he might just be able to do some good.  The Rangers aren’t risking anything here.

Ponson, 32, made seven lousy starts for the Twins last year.  This winter, he pitched 14.2 innings while allowing two runs for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League.  He struck out eight and walked four in the stint.  He also had the opportunity to hang out with Quinton McCracken and Danny Graves, among others (note: not sure if he actually hung out with those two.  I would’ve.)

Odds and Ends: Roberts, Gibbons, Matthews

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  • The Cubs and Orioles continue to be linked in trade speculation involving Brian Roberts. The latest from the Chicago Tribune says that an Orioles scout was in attendance for Sean Gallagher’s two hitless innings on Saturday. The amount of time it’s taking for these two clubs to get their acts together on this deal continues to be mind-boggling.
  • The Trib is also reporting that Jon Lieber took a big step towards earning the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation on Saturday, coming through with four shutout innings against the Diamondbacks. Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis are also in the mix.  It figures that the loser(s) of this battle could be trade candidates.
  • Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that Jay Gibbons looks like a natural pick to be the odd man out in Baltimore’s outfield, but the two years and $11.9MM left on his contract– plus the small matter of an appearance in the Mitchell Report and his upcoming 15-day suspension for violating MLB’s drug policy– means he’s not exactly going to be the easiest fourth outfielder in the world to move.
  • Speaking of expensive fourth outfielders named in the Mitchell Report, Gary Matthews Jr. insists to the Orange County Register that he’s perfectly happy with the Angels decision to bring in Torii Hunter. No, seriously.

Posted by Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans.

Better Late Then Never

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Hello friends. Stoeten here, from the Drunk Jays Fans, taking a shift at the helm of MLB Trade Rumors. Evidently the clocks went ahead last night, so I’m checking in a little later than I had planned to, but… well, let’s not get too deep into why I’m only coming around at 7:30 here in the east. Let’s just enjoy this time we get to spend with each other.

Feel free to hit me here if I’ve made any glaring errors or used the proper, Canadian spelling of "rumours".

Rosenthal’s Latest: Crede, Willits, Rivera, Belliard

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with all kinds of hot stove info.

  • Continuing on yesterday’s post regarding Joe Crede and the Dodgers , Rosenthal reports that a source close to Dodgers management explained that the team trading for a third baseman like Crede or Brandon Inge is "all about the budget and whether [owner Frank] McCourt will allow them to add money."  Rosenthal continues to point out that Crede is a better deal than Inge in terms of their contracts, and that Crede could also be more attractive to Dodgers management because the White Sox might be willing to trade for prospects, while the Tigers are looking for immediate bullpen help.
  • The Mariners had been in the market for a veteran right-handed hitting outfielder, but have opted instead for in-house options.  It seems Coco Crisp could have filled a need.  Sure, he’s a switch-hitter, but his splits suggest it could have made some sense.  If they didn’t have to part with too much, it might have worked.
  • The Angels have a surplus in the outfield — Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits — and Rosenthal reports that Willits is now untouchable according to the Angels (two teams have inquired after him recently).  The two are blocked by Vladimir Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, Torii Hunter, and Gary Matthews Jr.  While it sounds as if they’d prefer to move Rivera (a free agent at season’s end), it’s hard to imagine that they’d send Willits to the minors (he has options remaining) if they don’t find a good match for Rivera (Umpbump Coley suggested the Padres or Mets yesterday).  As Coley pointed out, the Angels have numerous banged up pitchers, and there are a number of teams out there who are going to be starting center fielders with inferior skill sets compared to Willits (as Tim pointed out a few days ago).
  • The Nationals are dealing with a surplus at second base, and Rosenthal believes that Ron Belliard is the most logical piece to move, what with his $1.6MM salary this season, and his $1.9MM for next.  Rosenthal pinpoints the Rockies (perhaps too little range on the right side with Jeff Baker and Todd Helton), Cardinals, Twins, and White Sox as potential trade partners.

Posted by Matt Birt

Cubs Eyeing Coco

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Last Sunday, I discussed how either Chicago ballclub were good suitors for Coco Crisp.  Today, Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun Times is reporting the Cubs interest do indeed lie with the web gem specialist, Crisp.

"With only one other lefty bat in the lineup (right fielder Kosuke Fukudome), the Cubs hoped to get a secondary lefty near the bottom of the order while assuring a good glove in center from their top two near-ready outfield prospects. While Hendry’s attempt to trade for Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd was meant to provide a right-handed complement to the center-field winner, the focus now appears to be on Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp, a switch hitter who could start in center and bat near the top of the order."

Nothing substantial has come our way yet; however, Coco, who is slated to make only $4.75MM in ’08 and $5.75MM in ’09 with an $8MM club option for ’10, would be a very good fit for the Cubs and provide more time for Felix Pie to blossom under less stress.  Wittenmeyer confidently predicts,

"The Cubs will trade for a veteran outfielder to start in center, and one of [Pie or Sam Fuld] will open the season on the bench, the other in the minors."

However, Covelli Loyce Crisp still needs to bring his average back up to be the lead-off guy the Cubs are seeking – his inability to do so is a big reason the Red Sox will, by all accounts, part ways.

By Nat Boyle

Rowand Still Hoping For Crede To Giants

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The indefatigable Aaron Rowand continues his Joe Crede-campaign, hoping the Giants will make a deal for him now that the Dodgers have entered the picture.  In an article in the Chicago Sports Tribune, Roward argues that Crede has played the last few seasons with a bad back and, now healthy, will put forth his best season yet.

”I’m just the middle man,” Rowand said when asked how hard he has been pushing to be reunited with his close friend. ”I’m not playing recruiter. It’s not like I’m going to [the front office] and saying, ’Get him.’ They asked me, and obviously everyone knows what he can do on the baseball field. I told them, ’You’re asking a guy that is biased, but I’ll give you my answer.’ God knows I want to play with Joe again.”

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times chimes in,

"While the Sox haven’t even come out and said whether they’ll trade Crede this spring, all signs point to the third baseman’s departure. Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in Crede, Williams can sit back and wait for the best offer."

MLBTR discussed the Dodgers interest yesterday, and readers seem to agree with Mr. Rowand: acquiring Crede is a great move for either team.


By Nat Boyle

Mets Have No Interest In Bonds

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A couple New Yorker-perspectives on the Mets interest in Barry Bonds:

First, The NY Daily News reports that the Mets have "laughed off" the idea, saying,

"…a high-ranking Mets official insisted there is no interest in taking on the monumental baggage – which includes charges of perjury and obstruction of justice – stemming from the out-of-work home run king’s involvement in baseball’s ongoing steroids mess."

And Joel Sherman at the New York Post has joined in on the fun,

"Of course the Mets should enlist Barry Bonds. He fits their program perfectly.  He is old, injury prone and very likely will not respect the manager."

This isn’t new – MLBTR discussed Buster Olney’s recommendation of the Mets signing Bonds here, and MLBTR readers seemed to see this as a good move, despite Omar Minaya’s stated reluctance.  As it stands, it doesn’t seem to be in consideration.

By Nat Boyle

Odds and Ends: Zimmerman, Lohse, Quintero

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  • The Nationals renewed Ryan Zimmerman’s contract and will pay him $465K in 2008, but still hope to sign him to a longer deal. Zimmerman will be eligible for arbitration in 2009.
  • According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles recently discussed free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse with his agent, Scott Boras. Lohse was originally seeking a five-year deal for approximately $50 million, but word is his price has come down drastically.
  • The Detroit Free Press says the Tigers "have mild interest in Houston’s Humberto Quintero but are giving strong consideration to Dane Sardinha, the starting catcher at Triple-A Toledo last year."

By Coley Ward

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